Should Brownies Be Refrigerated? (9 Quick Brownie Storage Answers)

Did you just make a yummy brownie recipe?

But… Now you’re wondering if your brownies should be stored in the refrigerator?

Well, the short answer is… it depends!

Whether you’re making brownies from scratch or from a box you got from the grocery store, there are a variety of ways to make a good brownie. But… There are only a few ways to store brownies properly.

If you have leftover brownies, or you’re simply wanting to ensure they’re stored properly, then keep reading. In this quick guide, you’ll learn whether or not brownies can be stored in the fridge, left on the counter, or frozen. Plus, you’ll learn the absolute best way to store them (it’s not what you think)!

Let’s dive in!

Here’s Whether Brownies Should Be Refrigerated:

No, brownies don’t need to be stored in the fridge. The reason? They have the best flavor and texture when you store them on the counter at room temperature. Just remember to keep them in an airtight container or they can get dry and crumbly. They will last 3-4 days at room temperature. Keep in mind, you can refrigerate them if you want. This will increase their shelf life to about one week.

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Should Brownies Be Stored in the Fridge?

So, should brownies be refrigerated after baking?

Technically, you don’t need to refrigerate brownies after they’ve come out of the oven. Brownies have the most optimal texture and flavor when they’re left at room temperature for a few days.

But, brownies will only last 3-4 days on the counter. So, if you want them to last longer, you should put them in the fridge (they’ll last one week) or freezer (they’ll last 3-4 weeks).

The reason they shouldn’t be stored in the fridge (unless you want them to last for a week) is because they’ll lose their optimal texture and become slightly stale and dry over time compared to being left on the counter in an airtight container.

What Is the Best Way to Store Brownies?

The absolute best way to store brownies is to leave them at room temperature in a vacuum sealed bag.

This is because brownies maintain the best texture and flavor when kept out (rather than becoming stale in a fridge). And, by vacuum sealing them, they’ll keep in their moisture while extending their shelf life by a few days.

Obviously, most people don’t have a vacuum sealer, so the next best option is to use an airtight container.

How Long Do Brownies Last in the Fridge?

Are you wondering, ‘Should brownies go in the fridge?’

Well, they’re best left at room temperature, but they can certainly be stored in the fridge if you want. Keeping your brownies in the fridge will allow them to last about twice as long as the counter—for about 1 week.

On the flip side, if you leave them on the counter (in a container) at room temperature, they’ll last for 3-4 days.

Should You Refrigerate Brownies Before Cutting?

If you want to ensure you get the best (and cleanest) brownie cut, the best way to do this is by cooling them in the fridge.

Keep in mind, you’ll get the best flavor and texture out of your brownies if you store them at room temperature on the counter. But, if you’re looking for the cleanest cut, allowing them to cool down a bit will get them a bit harder, giving you a cleaner cut.

Just remember, you’ll have a similar effect if you allow your brownies to cool for 1-2 hours on the counter after pulling them from the oven.

How Long Do Brownies Last at Room Temperature?

So, how long do brownies last unrefrigerated?

They’ll last about 3 to 4 days on the counter if using an airtight container. Keep in mind, this assumes your home is at a regular room temperature. If you have poor cooling (and it’s hot inside your home), their lifespan will be a bit shorter.

If you want your brownies to last longer, you can place them in the fridge instead. They’ll last for about 1 week there. And, if you want to store them long term, they can last for about 1 to 2 months in the freezer.

Just remember—the longer you refrigerate (and freeze your brownies), the more stale they’ll get.

How to Keep Brownies Fresh Overnight

The best way to keep your brownies fresh overnight is by first allowing them to cool for 1-2 hours on the counter uncovered. Then, place them in an airtight container and let them rest on the counter at room temperature overnight.

The result will be a delicious, moist brownie in the morning that’s perfectly set and ready to eat. Just remember to use an airtight container or your brownies can get dry, crumbly, or even stale.

How to Store Brownies for a Week

The best way to store brownies for a week is by placing them in the fridge in an airtight container.

If you leave them on the counter in a container, they’ll only last 3-4 days, so you’ll want to keep them in your refrigerator so they last a week.

You can also choose to place them in your freezer where they can last up to a month or two.

How to Store Brownies for 2 Days

If you want to store brownies for only 2 days, the best way to do it is to place them in an airtight container like tupperware and put them on your kitchen counter at room temperature.

They will keep for about 3-4 days on the counter.

Does Freezing Brownies Ruin Them?

So, can you freeze brownies? Or does it ruin them? And if so, how do you freeze brownies properly?

The simple answer is no. Freezing your brownes will not ruin them. While brownies are most optimally left on the counter at room temperature (for 3-4 days), and secondly placed in the fridge (for a week), you can definitely freeze them.

Frozen brownies can last for 1-2 months if frozen properly in an airtight container.

The best way to freeze brownies is to:

Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap
Wrap the plastic-wrapped brownies in aluminum foil
Place them in an airtight container (zip-lock, or tupperware)
Eat them by the 1-2 month mark

When you want to defrost your frozen brownies, you can place them in your fridge or on the counter for a few hours. Or, for a quick defrost, simply microwave them for 15-30 seconds.

Does Storing Brownies in the Fridge Make Them Fudgy?

Wondering if storing brownies in the fridge makes them fudgy?

Well, the short answer is, yes. Refrigerating brownies hardens them a bit since you’re decreasing the temperature. This binds the ingredients together a bit, hardening the brownie slightly to create a minor “fudgy” effect.

On the other hand, if you leave them on the counter, they’ll have a softer (more cakey texture since they’ll be warmer.

If you’re looking for a fudgy brownie recipe, then you’re in luck! Ihave three yummy and super fudgy brownies you can follow that have minor variations (depending on your preference):

All three of these vegan brownie recipes are plant based, and taste just as good as “regular” dairy brownies. They’re super fudgy, and delicious!

And, for more tips on how to make the perfect brownies, remember to check out our other posts:

Sources

https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2019/january/columns/packaging-solutions-for-baked-goods

https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-to-freeze-baked-goods